The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1887-03-17

AiIdTeu. ne Salu, AFTER q gloom
silence, 'ff they annoy You. | will havl
these things removed" and he glance,
at the picture on the wall, aud then a
the books and bric-a-brac scattere,
around the room. You remember,
was because You requested it that | IL
lowed them to remain"
Il thought 1t would please you #
have them, and-and-I-I imagined
l wouldn't care" stammered Mildred
on the verge of tears again.
but You find that you do care; is j
not SOP" Vernon asked. gently. The,
without waiting for an answer, he ST. d
at pains me to see you unhappy, sc
soon after our coming home. Has any-
thing happened to re- you to-day.
dariing?"
..If YOU only womldnI forget and cal
ne Helen" sobbed Mildred.
81 will be more careful in future
promised Vernon. us he took her in his
arms and kissed away her tears.
Il know | am a silly. %jeolous crea.
ture, john and Mildred's arms were
around his neck. and her hot cheek
laid close to his, but L do want tc
think that you never loved anyone as
you love mei'
lyon know | love you fondIy and
truly. above all other women" said hel
husband, drawing her to his heart"
That is not answering my question
PROPERLY" said Mildred, her Jealous
heart prompting her to claim Il stronger
statement.
"Then what is it you do wish me tc
say?" asked Vernon 4 little impatient
~. it must be confessed, for he was
both surprised and annoyed at this sud
den and unlocked for display of jeal-
ousv,
You should say that l am the only
woman you ever really loved" said
foolish Mildred, as if any man ever
reached the age of forty without hav.
ing a love affair of some sort.
"lt would be wrong for me to make
such an assertion. since it would be
telling you an untruth." said Vernon.
gravely. ''Mildred, do Won want me tC
say that [ didn't love Helen?" he asked,
in a low, panied voice.
Mildred was stubbornly silent.
because, if You do YOU are not the
sensible woman have believed you tc
oS, HC oali, LLS tsli II, lIllUSOIlo IdcG
growing pale and stern.
Zone can love but once. There car
be no second love!" said Mildred, hot
u.
If this is your Lelief, You should have
re membered it when | asked YOU to
m AIRY me-" said Vernon, coldly, pa.
cling the floor.
A spirit of pervirsity prompted Nil
dred to say:
at would nave saved ne much pair
and perhaps Il lifetime of regret had J
remembered it,
Mildred" and Vernon stopped il
his rapid walk and took her hands in
Il close clasp, you can't mean what
you have just said! Say you were not
in earnest unless you want to make me
miserable!"
You can't be more miserable than
| ami said Mildred. with a little sob.
Il have been the happiest man in the
world for four months until to-day"
said Vernon. quickly.
II suppose the homecoming has civ
en- you unpleasant thoughts" said
Mildred, who was i'll Il perfect pass. on
OF unreasonable jealousy and anger.
You have given me unpleasant
thoughts" retorted Vernon, losing pa
thence, and speaking in Il qnick, an
voice. Mildred ansAer me truly, are
Jou sorry you married me?:"
Il ann S IMPLY what it IS to be u second
said Mildred. bitterly.
You are angry and unreasonable
just now" said Vernon. quitely. though
he had grown white to his lips. when
sou are calmer, perhaps. you WI take
more sensible view OF the natter"
and dropping her hand, he abruptly
quilted the room.
When they met at dinner both were
moody and reserved. yet frigidly polite,
bevond a few commonplace re-
marks no words were exchanged.
HE meal over, without Il glance at
Ter husbands face, Mildred retired to
Ter room, while Vernon, making no eff
FOrt to follow her, 1t Il cigar and left
5he house.
Days and weeks passed thus, Mildred
90 angry and stubborn 10 confess her
;elf in the wrong. Vernon too proud
intrude where he believed he would
'e unwelcome. Either purposclv or
through neglect, the p cture and books
we're not removed, aud Mildred with
,ut consulting her husband, quietly
Ook possession of il in the south
wing of the house, and male no further
to her wrongs whether fanci-
ID or real.
Vernon spent the evenings in the
Dom his wife had vacated. and it was
mall comfort to Mildred to know that
t he was alone he wa constantly sur
Ounded with mementoeS of his lost
Helen. 'Eyen her picture is dearer to
than | can eve hope to ber' she
old herself, bitterly, when on crossing
he hall, one evening. she saw her hus-
'and standing before the portrait. his
ace wearing a strange. absent look.
Vernon WAS too deeply hurt at his
GOODNESS to notice that she was
ally growing thinner, and that her
yes We're constantly dim with unslled
ears. Pride, anger, and bitter resent
nent were raging in his heart. and he
tubbornly refused TO believe that Mil
red was longing for a reconc. liaton.
With the obstinacy of one who believes
imself deeply injured, he determined
hat Mildred should be the one to break